tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43471512929866793152024-03-05T14:28:45.523-08:00Hearty MuttsSimple tips and facts on how to better the health of your beloved mutts and how to better yourself as a dog owner!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-22765854867234157272014-11-17T14:59:00.000-08:002014-11-17T14:59:25.760-08:00Top Caring Tips for Your Pregnant Mutt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whether your mutt's pregnancy was planned or not, providing your full care and attention for her during this time is crucial to the health and development of her future puppies and for your mutt herself. Below are important guidelines that will help walk pet owners through the next eight to nine weeks of pregnancy:<br />
<br />
<b>Few Quick Facts</b><br />
<ul>
<li>A full pregnancy term is approximately 63 days (or roughly 9 weeks).</li>
<li>There are three trimesters - 21 days for each trimester.</li>
<li>Your mutt's nutritional and environmental needs will start to change.</li>
</ul>
<b>First Trimester</b><br />
During the first trimester, you most likely will not notice any major changes to your mutt's physicality and energy level. There may be some mild morning sickness or a slight attitude shift, but overall there is minimal fetal development during this time, so you can keep the food quantity and exercise level the same. Put a pause on flea or other insecticide treatments. If you are worried about worms for your dog, consult with your trusted vet to see what safe, mild dewormer you can use. As for other medications your dog might be on, again put it on hold and consult with your trusted vet before continuing the use of them.<br />
<br />
<b>Second Trimester</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR_VZRvGG_UakoO4M6ccrUwOiQCTm6t3ZgqPt8Hd9jMcNSdvbEToJvjkRe1Ddl46CeurYHlv9X4XZIUpP52oUNqYMs-Gvkr9tdd58f11DPLMpHOvvoeBUYlYkcvN6ATzQg6t6RJ4boUU/s1600/care-for-pregnant-dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR_VZRvGG_UakoO4M6ccrUwOiQCTm6t3ZgqPt8Hd9jMcNSdvbEToJvjkRe1Ddl46CeurYHlv9X4XZIUpP52oUNqYMs-Gvkr9tdd58f11DPLMpHOvvoeBUYlYkcvN6ATzQg6t6RJ4boUU/s1600/care-for-pregnant-dog.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a>As you move into the second trimester of the pregnancy, you can start to see some weight gain on <br />
your dog as the fetuses start to grow. At this point, cut back on the exercise level (such as jumping, running, or limit working dogs) and increase the quantity of healthy foods. Find a quiet, stress-free area in your house for your mutt to rest. A well-balanced and healthy diet is essential to the development of the fetuses and their mom. Depending on your dog's situation, you can ask your vet about adding certain vitamins to your mutt's diet - DO NOT add these supplements without consulting with your vet first though. Make sure your pet always have fresh, clean (as in filtered) water. Also, keep her contact with other animals limited and don't make any major home environment changes (i.e. move furniture around, introducing new pets, or having lots of guests over). The key during this time is to give your mutt plenty of rest and nutrients, provide a stress-free place, and limit the chances of contracting diseases. Be sure to also take your mutt in for her regular check ups with the vet and go more often if necessary. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUtHWCP8m44PygZE-jSIeS7fYgnDY_wYqH52OLdJh2pPQtA3y_FJ0b36FARdB0TlOnUZQN4Omzn_4SWLwueWLQ90vh9_WHAHgkVQvGxj0Sg_lOtQ7drW7B36HPsdTt4hPUOFpHQSvJ0U/s1600/dogwhelpingbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUtHWCP8m44PygZE-jSIeS7fYgnDY_wYqH52OLdJh2pPQtA3y_FJ0b36FARdB0TlOnUZQN4Omzn_4SWLwueWLQ90vh9_WHAHgkVQvGxj0Sg_lOtQ7drW7B36HPsdTt4hPUOFpHQSvJ0U/s1600/dogwhelpingbox.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><b>Third Trimester</b><br />
Everything that we covered in the second trimester is even more crucial now in the last trimester. At this point you will noticeably see an enlarged belly area; your mutt will need more rest from pregnancy exhaustion; and she may be very moody due to the hormonal changes. One good tip is to take your dog in to the groomers for a maternity cut where they will clean and shave the belly area. If you don't, your mutt will most likely start to shed its belly hair anyway. It's a way for the body to prep for the actual birthing and nursing of the new born puppies. Now would be a good time to buy or build <a href="http://bit.ly/whelpingbox" target="_blank">a whelping box</a> where your mutt will give birth and place it in the same area as her resting place. It is important that you keep a close watch on your dog especially the last two weeks of the third trimester because she can give birth at any time. Some signs for going into labor are drop in body temperature, swollen vulva or discharge from vulva, abnormal behavior like excessive panting or digging, and lack of appetite. Also have your vehicle ready and know where the nearest 24-hour pet emergency is in case you have to take your mutt to the hospital for complications during labor. <br />
<br />
<b>Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-37989572029033559682014-10-03T15:31:00.000-07:002014-10-03T15:31:07.686-07:00Top Q&A for a Senior Dog's Diet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Just like humans, our beloved mutts' bodies and dietary demands change as they age. Their metabolism, activity level, and ability to fight off infections usually decrease. While some of these cannot be avoided, there are still certain body changes that you can manage with a good healthy, senior diet.<br />
<br />
<b>When is my dog considered a senior dog?</b><br />
While size and breed are determining factors of how well your dog ages, below are rough age ranges for your mutt to be considered a senior dog:<br />
<ul>
<li>Small and medium dogs less than 50 pounds: 7 years old</li>
<li>Large dogs up to 90 pounds: 6 years old</li>
<li>Giant dogs over 90 pounds: 5 years old</li>
</ul>
<b>What does a senior diet consist of?</b><br />
Not all senior dog foods are good replacements. Unless recommended otherwise by your trusted vet, you would want to switch your mutt's current diet to a senior diet that has the same amount of (or sufficient) protein and fiber with less calories and fat. The protein will help maintain your mutt's muscles, and the fiber will help with regulating its digestive system and keeping your mutt feeling full. Because of the decrease in metabolism and activity level, less calories and fat equals lower chance of gaining weight which helps prevent other unwanted diseases.<br />
<br />
<b>What should I do if my dog doesn't seem to be hungry?</b><br />
While eating less could be a good way to maintain your mutt's weight, too much weight loss could also be unhealthy. A couple of ways to help increase your dog's caloric intake is (1) mixing some soft canned food to the dog pebbles or (2) adding a little bit of water to the dry food to help soften the pebbles for better chewing.<br />
<br />
<b>What other things can I do as a pet owner to help my dog's aging process?</b><br />
There are many things a dog owner can help ease the aging process for their mutts. The most helpful one is taking your dog into the vet for its regular check ups. Talk to your vet about any suspicious behavioral changes, dietary needs like extra vitamins or supplements, and any other things you can do to help prevent diseases that may be arise. <br />
<br />
<b>Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-9298282607133703772014-09-22T15:52:00.000-07:002014-09-22T15:52:23.022-07:00Tips & Tricks: Building a First Aid Kit for Your Dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
It is always helpful to familiarize yourself with what a first aid kit would look like for your mutts because accidents can happen at anytime. If you are prepared, you can help significantly reduce the severity of an injury and maybe even avoid death. It may also be wise to have multiple kits for emergency use, like a larger kit at home and a smaller kit in the car.<br />
<br />
Below are some of the essentials of building your first aid kit for your dogs:<br />
<ul>
<li>A clean blanket</li>
<li>Nail clipper</li>
<li>Rectal therometer</li>
<li>Vaseline or KY jelly</li>
<li>A muzzle</li>
<li>Tweezers</li>
<li>Hemostats</li>
<li>Styptic powder</li>
<li>Bandaging materials: roll of gauze, first aid tape, non-stick pads at minimum</li>
<li>Medication: your dogs' regular meds (if any - be sure to follow instructions regarding storing the meds in certain room temperatures), multi-purpose wound care gels/sprays that can help clean/treat/heal wounds, and any other easy & quick products like eye solution to flush out unwanted bodies or cortisol cream for itchy bug bites</li>
<li>Other items that may come in handy depending on the type of first aid kit you are putting together (i.e. first aid kit for hiking, camping, search & rescue...etc.) </li>
</ul>
Keep in mind that the purpose of a first aid kit is to try to temporarily stabilize the situation in an event of an injury. Depending on the injury, your best option may still be to visit a vet as soon as possible. For more information on which products and other items to add to your canine first aid kit, consult with your trusted vet. <br />
<br />
<b>Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</b><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-34716128866892044762014-09-05T14:08:00.000-07:002014-09-05T14:08:05.009-07:003 Steps to Follow When You Find a Stray Dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the worst nightmares for pet owners is realizing that our beloved mutt has gone missing. So if you were to ever encounter a stray, here are three steps that will help you help the dog get back to his/her owner quickly and safely.<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Observe the dog and its surroundings for safety</b> - The first thing to be aware of when you see a stray dog is to observe the dog's behavior and its surroundings. Do not make sudden movements, whether that's slamming on the brake when you're driving or run excitedly to the mutt. Observe calmly and see if the mutt is in a dangerous situation (like in the middle of traffic) or if the mutt is showing any signs of aggression, nervousness, or rabidness towards you or others. If you don't feel like the stray is approachable, then take note of its location and call animal control. If you can, you may stay with the mutt until help arrives. If you feel like the dog is approachable and friendly, then calmly allow the mutt into your car and drive it to the nearest animal shelter or vet clinic if you see that the mutt is injured. Keep in mind that picking up a mutt may not be the best idea especially if the dog is injured and may react to your touch aggressively when it's in pain.</li>
<li><b>Seek professional help</b> - So you have the dog in your possession; now what? If the dog does not have a tag or any other types of identifier that you can see, then the next best thing is to take it to the nearest animal shelter where they can scan for registered microchips for further investigation. Depending on the situation, the shelter may take the stray in or may release temporary caring rights to you. The shelter usually will take photos of the dog and your contact information in case the owners come looking for their pet. If you decide to temporarily care for the stray, you may want to consider taking the mutt to a trusted vet to make sure it doesn't have any internal injuries, parasites, or diseases. Keep in mind that you may be the one that is financially responsible for these vet bills.</li>
<li><b>Spread the word</b> - Don't assume that all strays were abandoned or left unwanted. Think that if this were your dog that's lost, what would you do to find it? Make a valiant effort to help spread the word about this lost pet through friends, families, church groups, local community news boards, internet, social media...etc. If enough time has passed and there is still no contact from the original owners, you may consider adopting this as your own pet. Your local animal shelter can provide you with the appropriate length of waiting time required by your local authorities before officially letting you adopt the mutt. Just keep in mind that there still may be a chance that the original owners may still find you and wan their pet back. Be prepared to have a realistic plan in mind if and when that happens.</li>
</ol>
<b>Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-26166875865078298912014-08-15T14:44:00.001-07:002014-08-15T14:44:26.591-07:00Top Q&A About Heat Stroke in Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Just like humans, dogs can suffer from heat strokes too if they are not taken care of properly. In some circumstances, a dog can be more prone to getting a heat stroke because it relieves most of its body heat and sweat through panting. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions and answers to what a pet owner should know about heat strokes in their mutts.<br />
<br />
<b>Under what conditions can my dog get heat stroke?</b><br />
There are many conditions in which a dog can suffer heat stroke. The most common include exercising your mutts in hot and/or humid weather, not enough access to fresh water, leaving your mutt in a car when it is warm outside (even if you crack your windows!), and/or being left out in the sun with no shade.<br />
<br />
<b>What are some symptoms of a heat stroke for dogs?</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Heavy, labored or troubled panting</li>
<li>Vomitting</li>
<li>Weakness/collapsing</li>
<li>Confusion</li>
<li>Dry, tacky pale gums</li>
<li>Seizures/coma</li>
</ul>
<b>How do I prevent my dog from a heat stroke?</b><br />
There are several ways pet owners can help prevent their mutts from a heat stroke. Many of them are easy to implement such as providing adequate shade and enough fresh water if your mutts are outside; allowing your mutts to access an air-conditioned room periodically; exercising them in the morning or evening when it is not the warmest time of the day, and keeping their fur/hair short during the summer months.<br />
<br />
<b>What should I do if my dog does get heat stroke?</b><br />
The best treatment for heat stroke is to take your mutt to your trusted vet as soon as possible. Depending on the situation, you may have to help your dog cool down first before bringing it to the vet. Gently pouring cool (not ice cold) water over your mutts' body or blowing cool air on your mutts are good ways to help them safely decrease their body temperature. Keep in mind that in some dogs, symptoms of a heat stroke may be delayed. So your best treatment for a heat stroke is prevention!<br />
<br />
<b>Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</b><br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-20196577431759629212014-07-11T14:08:00.000-07:002014-07-11T14:08:09.734-07:00Top Q&A for Cherry Eyes in Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<b>What is a cherry eye?</b><br />
<ul>
<li>A prolapse of the third eyelid gland - meaning that the membrane located in the corner of a dog's eye, which houses a tear gland, is inflamed. So a dog that has a cherry eye would have a red or pinkish swollen bump in the inner corners of its eye. </li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglE1pC4o5xlD43r04MC1LhzkCkcb7-HcEdgMARE2Oh2aBB_tqkeK7k7m_Dm1K3lDyYvONR0MBGWGKg1QFdXBQxBLGoQqJ2dE1NFtPBsIwhKcrbEg0iLZMrSp_1NeI5D8Lifv1f5gR8pJc/s1600/cherry+eye+dog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglE1pC4o5xlD43r04MC1LhzkCkcb7-HcEdgMARE2Oh2aBB_tqkeK7k7m_Dm1K3lDyYvONR0MBGWGKg1QFdXBQxBLGoQqJ2dE1NFtPBsIwhKcrbEg0iLZMrSp_1NeI5D8Lifv1f5gR8pJc/s1600/cherry+eye+dog.JPG" height="157" width="200" /></a><b>What causes a cherry eye?</b><br />
<ul>
<li> For reasons that are unclear, the membrane around the tear gland grows weak and starts moving around. The movement usually causes irritation and leads to the swelling of the gland. Cherry eyes are mostly hereditary, so certain breeds like Shih Tzus, Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, Lhasa Apsos, and other small breeds. It's also thought to be caused by parasites, infections, cancer and/or immune system issues. </li>
</ul>
<b> What are some signs of a cherry eye?</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Eye redness, swelling of the inner corner(s), mucus and/or excess watery discharge, your mutt pawing at its eye or rubbing its face on the ground at the irritation.</li>
</ul>
<b> How do you treat a cherry eye?</b><br />
<ul>
<li>The best way to treat a cherry eye is to consult your trusted vet. Many times vets will prescribe an ointment to see if the swelling and irritation will go away first, and if that doesn't work, then usually the second (and only) option is to perform surgery. With surgery, the vet will most likely try to tuck the gland back in (which has a very high success rate). If that doesn't work, then the vet will most likely remove the gland all together.</li>
</ul>
<b>What are some risks associated with surgery vs. no surgery?</b><br />
<ul>
<li>While surgery is the last resort for cherry eyes, some circumstances many require it. The main risk with removing the tear gland is having a dry eye which may lead to vision damage. If this does happen later on, it can be treated with medication.</li>
<li>In some pets, the prolapsed gland doesn't cause discomfort or damage to the eye and may come and go on its own. So the main reason for fixing the cherry eye is more for cosmetic purposes. Again, consult with your trusted vet to see what is the best action to take for you and your mutt.</li>
</ul>
<b>Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-26067425683886989922014-06-16T17:13:00.002-07:002014-06-16T17:13:51.366-07:00Summer Swimming Safety Tips for Your Dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Summer is here! As the weather gets warmer and warmer, a lot of our furry little friends like to find places like pools and lakes to cool off in. Pet owners also will often times want our mutts to enjoy the fun summer activities with them. While having a good time outside can be good physical and mental health, there are still several things dog owners need to watch out for when allowing their mutts to take a dip:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Not all dogs can swim well</b> - while a mutt can pick up swimming techniques faster than a human, some dogs swim because they have to for survival and not because they like to. Mutts like American Bulldogs have big bodies but short legs tend to have a harder time paddling in water compared to others. </li>
<li><b>Wet ears can easily lead to ear infections</b> - keeping your dogs' ears clean and dry after a swim is important so they do not get ear infections. Ocean and lake water usually have many bacteria and bugs that could be a danger to your mutts. Consult with your trusted vet to learn what the best cleaning techniques are for you and your dogs.</li>
<li><b>Watch out for other safety hazards at the beach</b> - if you take your dogs to the beach, keep an eye out for other potentially dangers things like broken shells, jellyfish, and big currents. There are also many parasites hiding in the sand, so keep your mutts close and perform a quick physical check up on them after you leave the beach.</li>
<li><b>Swimming at night is more dangerous than during the day</b> - as a pet owner, you would have to pay even more attention to your mutts if they are swimming at night. Dogs already have bad vision to begin with and their eye sight decreases drastically when it is dark. So make sure you know where and what your mutts are doing when they are swimming, even if it is just in your backyard pool.</li>
<li><b>Know what the temperature of the water is before going in</b> - sometimes the problem with summer is that certain waters can vary in temperature drastically. Make sure you know how warm or cold the water is before allowing your dogs to go in. Dogs can also suffer from hypothermia so just be aware if your dog is shivering or not. </li>
<li><b>Teach your dogs to swim one step at a time </b>- throwing your mutts into the pool or lake for fun will only create trauma for them, specially if they haven't really swam before. So make it a game: throw their stick or ball in for them to fetch is a good start and then increase the fetch distance slowly. Also train them so they know where is the best spot to get out if they are swimming in a pool. If your mutts start to panic, the best way is to use a calm voice to tell them to swim back to shore. You might put yourself in danger by jumping in to help a panicking dog (specially if they are big dogs)!</li>
</ul>
<b>Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-26959522136792249152014-05-09T13:57:00.000-07:002014-05-09T13:57:07.007-07:00Spring Safety Tips for Your Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
As spring arrives, our friendly furry companions love to take advantage of the lengthier, warmer days by spending more of their time outdoors. While we love seeing our mutts enjoy their time outside, there are still a few things dog owners need to be aware of when it comes to transitioning from the winter to the spring season.<br />
<ul>
<li>Bugs, Bugs, Bugs - Spring is the perfect time for bugs such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas to hatch from their eggs and start being more active. Take some time and make sure that your mutts are current on their heartworm preventative medication. Also start performing your own check ups on your dog's ears, neck, head, chest, and legs to ensure that they haven't picked up any unwanted ticks and fleas.</li>
<li>Veterinary Check Up - As you do your spring cleaning, put on the list to take your dogs to the vet for a physical exam and to update their vaccinations. Spring will turn into summer quickly and your dogs will most likely have more contact with other animals which increases the chance of catching an infectious disease like the kennel cough.</li>
<li>Dog Proofing the House - Again, as your mutts are now becoming more active, dog proofing your house inside and out is crucial to avoiding any unwanted accidents or intoxication. Make sure that your yard fertilization, the type of plants you plant, and the chemicals you use to spring clean the house with are all safe for pet owners and are stored away securely. If you have a fenced yard, take some time to make sure that your fence is secure and strong so your dogs can't escape and injury themselves. </li>
</ul>
Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-41865128173501735422014-04-22T14:41:00.000-07:002014-04-22T14:41:31.166-07:00How to Workout With Your Dog Safely!<br />
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As warm weather approaches, building a workout routine with your mutts can be extremely beneficial. A lot of people find it fun and motivating to workout with your dogs. However, there are certain cautionary steps pet owners should take when exercising with your mutts. Here are some tips:<br />
<br />
<b>BEFORE THE WORKOUT</b><br />
<ul>
<li><u>Evaluate your mutts' physicality</u> - Don't just dive into an intense workout session with your dog; build up to it. Make sure you know what your dog is capable of and consider its breed and age for certain exercises. It would be good to consult your trusted vet before you start a workout regiment with your mutts.</li>
<li><u>Environmental Considerations </u>- Running, hiking, biking, or walking in cold or hot weather may not be the best times for you or your mutt. If you're exercising outside during the summer, try to go early or late evening when the pavement is not hot on your mutt's feet. During the cold winter, consider walking or running your <a href="http://bit.ly/1l4mBJ4" target="_blank">dog on a treadmill</a>.</li>
<li><u>Prep Yourself with Food & Water</u> - Make sure you bring some food and water for both you and your mutt, especially if you plan on doing a lengthy or intense workout. Dog treats and an energy bar may help boost you and your mutt's energy and water will help prevent heat stroke.</li>
</ul>
<b>DURING THE WORKOUT</b><br />
<ul>
<li><u>Train Your Dog</u> - Properly train your mutts to walk or run the same side of you every time to avoid tripping each other. Teach them not to pull on the leash or not to run ahead of you unexpectedly to avoid throwing you off balance. </li>
<li><u>Safety Comes First</u> -Make sure you wear a helmet, knee pads, and other protection when appropriate. Don't tie the leash to your wrist in case your dog pulls and jerks you off balance. Don't push you or your mutt too hard. If either of you are starting to show signs of exhaustion, pain, or trouble breathing, then that's a good indication to stop the workout and rest.</li>
<li><u>Again Stay Hydrated</u> - Allow you and your mutt to drink plenty of water throughout the exercise and a little bit of food here and there to boost your energy (but don't exercise on a full stomach either).</li>
</ul>
<b> AFTER THE WORKOUT</b><br />
<ul>
<li><u>Cool Down & Body Check</u> - After your workout, make sure to cool your body down and stretch out your muscles. Also take some time to check your mutt's leg and paws for any cuts, bruises, ticks, and other foreign objects. You may also reward your dog with a treat for working hard.</li>
<li><u>Once Again, Hydrate You and Your Dog</u> - Also be sure to allow the proper amount of rest for you and your mutt in between workouts for your bodies to recoup. </li>
</ul>
<b>Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-41486987710053305352014-04-14T13:49:00.001-07:002014-04-14T13:49:54.549-07:00Top Pet Emergencies for Your Mutt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As a pet owner, how do you know when your mutt's health is a serious issue that requires a veterinarian's care ASAP? Below are a few common health problems that vets see in the ER:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Urinary Problems</b> - If you notice that your dog is having difficulty peeing, has blood in its pee, or is not producing any urine for an usual long period of time, take your mutt to see your trusted vet as soon as possible. Although rare, urinary blockage does happen and has a high chance of being life-threatening if not quickly treated.</li>
<li><b>Difficulty Breathing</b> - Signs of your mutt wheezing, raspy breaths, and choking is when you need to get them to a pet hospital as soon as possible. Your dog may have lodged something in its throat, and if this is the case, do NOT try to extract it yourself. Doing so may result in pushing the object even deeper and clogging the airway completely. </li>
<li><b>Poison or Toxin Exposure</b> - If you suspect your mutt has gotten itself into something poisonous like a bag of fertilizers in the backyard or a bottle of kitchen cleaner, <span class="keyword_link"><a href="http://aspca.org/" target="_blank">ASPCA</a></span> animal poison control at <span class="skype_c2c_print_container">888-426-4435</span><span class="skype_c2c_container" dir="ltr" onmouseout="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.hideMenu(event)" onmouseover="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.showMenu(this, event)" skype_menu_props="{"numberToCall":"+18884264435","isFreecall":false,"isMobile":false,"isRtl":false}" tabindex="-1"><span class="skype_c2c_highlighting_inactive_common" dir="ltr" skypeaction="skype_dropdown"><span class="skype_c2c_textarea_span"><img class="skype_c2c_logo_img" src="resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png" /><span class="skype_c2c_text_span">888-426-4435</span><span class="skype_c2c_free_text_span"></span></span></span></span><span class="skype_c2c_container" dir="ltr" tabindex="-1"><span class="skype_c2c_highlighting_inactive_common" dir="ltr"><span class="skype_c2c_textarea_span"><span class="skype_c2c_text_span"></span><span class="skype_c2c_free_text_span"></span></span></span></span> for immediate help.You may be asked to take your dog to the vet for further assistance or even induce vomiting for your mutt.</li>
<li><b>Neurological Issues </b>- A normal healthy dog is usually alert and bright, so if you notice that your mutt is experiencing neurological issues like unresponsiveness, disorientation, or in a coma, consult your vet right away. Another major issue dog seizures caused by epilepsy. If your dog is shaking uncontrollably or has lost its bowel and urinary control, get them to the vet or pet hospital.</li>
<li><b>Dog Trauma</b> - Dog trauma may include various situations like a big fall, getting hit by a car, involved in a dog fight, or having a gunshot wound. For these situations, even if your mutt seems fine on the outside, still take them in to a vet to get checked out. Sometimes there may be internal bleeding, ruptured lung, or a hernia that may need immediate medical attention.</li>
</ul>
The list above is only a handful of health problems that your mutts might experience. This doesn't mean that other health concerns does not require vet care. The best the to do is when in doubt, consult your trusted vet!<br />
<br />
<b>Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-40964527273334240692014-03-19T16:12:00.000-07:002014-03-19T16:12:06.411-07:00Dog Nutritional Facts You Need to Know!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
There are a lot of human foods that can be good for your mutts to eat. However, it is easy for dog owners to start believing in certain myths about what they can and cannot feed their mutts - and more importantly, how much to feed them. Below are some nutritional facts to help dog owners better decide what to and what NOT to feed their pets.<br />
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<b>Canned Food vs. Dry Food</b><br />
Depending on what lifestyle your dog lives, both canned and dry dog food has pros and cons. Canned food usually has more quality-protein, fewer preservatives and calories, and is better tasting. On the other hand, dry dog food is less expensive, cleans your dogs' teeth better, and may satisfy your mutts' urge to nibble and chew on items. <br />
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<b>Apples</b><br />
While apples have great nutrients for both humans and your mutts, the seeds of an apple contains a form of cyanide which cannot be easily filtered through your pets' digestive system. Also be careful of how much apples you feed your mutts - too much of the fruit can lead to diarrhea and weight gain.<br />
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<b>Fish</b><br />
Fish can be extremely beneficial to dogs who have meat allergies. However, some raw-diet enthusiasts may want to be careful feeding too much raw fish meat to your mutts since fish can contain harmful parasites when uncooked. Also whole-bodied fish has many tiny sharp bones that might cause other health issues.<br />
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<b>Right Amount to Feed</b><br />
While there's no absolute answer to how much or how often you should feed your mutts, the rule of thumb is that if your dog is at a healthy, fit weight and size, then they are probably eating the right amount of food. Most veterinarians will recommend a morning meal and an evening meal for adult dogs to help you better manage your mutts' intake and quality of food.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-30879386463387643242014-02-11T13:29:00.001-08:002014-02-11T13:29:47.097-08:00Facts You Should Know About Heartworm in Dogs<br />
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Every dog has a risk of getting Heartworm. Although this disease is NOT contagious among dogs directly, Heartworms can easily be transported between mutts through just one single mosquito. When a mosquito bites into the blood stream of an infected dog, the mosquito picks up a tiny larvae called microfilariae. The mosquito then can make its way onto another mutt, transporting the larvae and infecting a different dog.<br />
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Over the next several months the heartworm larvae will grow up to a foot in length and spread into the heart and lungs of the dog and produce even more microfilariae in the blood stream. If left untreated, this poor mutt is a perfect reservoir of heartworms ready to infect other animals and also has a high risk of getting heart, lung, liver, and kidney problems that may result in death. <br />
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Prevention is the key for mutts when it comes to heartworm disease. Even if you keep your dogs indoors, they are still at risk for getting infected. Heartworm has been reported in all 50 states in the U.S. so visit your trusted veterinarian to ensure your mutt's health today!<br />
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<b>Keeping your mutts healthy, happy, and hearty!</b><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-1498554046189006462013-10-18T13:39:00.000-07:002013-10-18T13:42:27.899-07:00Why Switching Up Food Varieties Good for Your Dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A common belief amongst pet owners is that constantly switching up food brands and food types for your mutts is bad for their health and digestive systems. Recently, however, certified veterinary nutritionists have been challenging this belief and have found that NOT changing your mutts' daily diet on a regular basis can actually cause nutritional deficiencies later on. <br />
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When you are feeding your mutts the same chicken, rice, and/or dog food pebbles every day, they are only getting the nutrients offered in those foods instead of a good variety of other vitamins and amino acids in foods like fish, beef, or other fruits and vegetables. So mixing up your mutts' daily diet is a good habit to acquire, but as a responsible pet owner, you still need to handled the change with the right care and precaution.<br />
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Below are a few tips as to how to safely and successfully switch your dogs' diet:<br />
<ol>
<li>Decide on different main ingredients - If you've been feeding your mutts chicken and rice, you may look to change to something completely different like beef and vegetables. Just be sure that whatever you're feeding your dogs is safe for them to eat.</li>
<li>Switch up dog brands - If you are looking to switch dog food brands, compare the labels on the package and see what good nutrients and new formulas are lacking from your current brand. It's important to stick to the high-quality mixes for optimal nutrition. </li>
<li>Watch the caloric intake - Dogs being overweight is a huge issue and chronic problem that, as a responsible pet owner, you should help your mutts avoid. Make sure that whatever new diet you're feeding your mutts does not exceed the right amount of calories they are supposed to have. </li>
<li>Make the switch slowly - To avoid any digestive problems for your mutts, switch out their diets slowly by increasing the new food and decreasing the old food over a 7-10 day period. In terms of how often to change, you can consider buying a new diet plan for your mutts every time you need to go shopping for their food. </li>
</ol>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-34326906443779954022013-10-07T12:43:00.001-07:002013-10-07T12:43:56.782-07:00How to Keep Your Dogs Safe From Bees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For humans (who are <u>not</u> allergic to bee stings), a few pricks of the skin from a small bee is just a little bit of pain and irritation. For mutts, however, multiple bee stings can lead to serious health problems like kidney failure or even death. <br />
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A main key to keeping your mutts healthy and happy is to take precautions for your dogs from bees. Below are a few tips on how to keep your mutts safe from troublesome stingers:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>A clean area to play in: </b>Bees are attracted to strong smells and messes like leftover food in the garbage. Maintaining the cleanliness of your backyard, picnic area, and barbequer will help prevent bees from taking over the outside of your house. </li>
<li><b>Flowers & fragrances:</b> It's not a big surprise that bees like flowers. So if you're walking your dogs, it's best to keep them away from big flower bushes to avoid getting stung. At the same time, bees are also attracted to sweet fragrances, so be aware of how much perfume or deodorant you apply - not only for your dogs' safety but also for yours. </li>
<li><b>Right times to go out:</b> Bees tend to have the most activity during the hours of 3 - 6 p.m. So it would probably be best to plan around those times for your outdoor walks and exercises with your mutts. </li>
</ul>
<b>Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</b><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-64957572640405531992013-09-29T20:07:00.001-07:002015-09-24T16:31:12.882-07:00What to Know About Dog Allergies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<u>The Science Behind Allergies </u><br />
Just like humans, many of our beloved mutts will suffer from environmental substances, or allergens, from time to time. These allergies usually occur when the dog's body mistakes the allergens as harmful substances. Therefore, the immune system sees it as a threat and goes into overdrive.<br />
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<u>Symptoms to Look Out For</u><br />
Depending on the allergy, you may notice that your mutts are behaving differently. Excessive licking, itching, scratching especially around the face, ears, feet, armpit, and belly areas are all typical signs of allergy symptoms. More serious allergy situations may also include redness (or hot spots) and hair loss.<br />
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<u>Things That Can Cause Allergies</u><br />
There are certain things that can cause allergies in dogs such as pollens, dust bites, molds, and fleas. Other allergies can come from food products including chicken, beef, fish, and soy.<br />
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<u>At-Home Remedies to Treat Allergies</u><br />
If your mutts' allergy situation is minor, there are a few things you can do at home to do to help make your dogs more comfortable. On the days that the pollen count is high, wipe your dogs' feet with a cold, wet towel when coming into the house from outside to avoid tracking in the pollen. Scheduling a weekly bathe in cool water can also rinse off any unwanted residue on your mutts' body. Be sure to consult your trusted vet before giving your dogs any allergy medicines or vaccines.<br />
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<b>Keep your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</b><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-2956154393621704592013-09-16T13:24:00.000-07:002013-09-16T13:24:21.102-07:00Top 4 Tips to Choosing the Right Veterinarian <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As loving and responsible pet owners, we naturally want to provide our mutts with the best animal care, and a huge part of that is finding the right veterinarian. Unfortunately, not all vets and vet clinics are created equal. <br />
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Below are six tips to keep in mind when you are shopping around to find the perfect pet care and physician for your mutts:<br />
<ul>
<li><strong>American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accreditation</strong> - This organization <span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_LandingPageContent1_lblLandingPageDescription">helps with ensuring that a veterinary practice is operating at a high level of standards in pet care. </span>Even though animal hospitals are not required to be accredited with AAHA to practice medicine, a place that has the membership will help guarantee a certain level of expertise and professionalism. </li>
<li><strong>Medical equipment, service & information</strong> - A good medical clinic or hospital should have the right medical equipment to help provide the best quality care for their patients. Getting timely, honest, and clear answers from doctors and technicians are important too. Ask to tour the facility and meet the physicians - a good organization should have nothing to hide from its customers.</li>
<li><strong>Staff customer service</strong> - The staff's attitude, energy and overall customer service of a vet clinic or hospital should be a big indicator as to how they treat and value their patients. Again requesting to meet the staff in person and/or going online to read multiple reviews on the clinic will help you determine whether or not this is a good place to take your pets. </li>
<li><strong>Personal convenience</strong> - Another important point that some people tend to forget to consider is the convenience of the clinic or hospital. Finding a medical center that is close to where you live, is easy to find, and have office hours that work well for you and your dogs will make a big difference in cases of emergencies. </li>
</ul>
<strong>Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</strong><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-87327480147543055832013-09-04T13:59:00.001-07:002013-09-04T13:59:15.312-07:00Tips to Keeping Your Senior Dog Healthy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As our beloved mutts age, it is essential for pet owners to become more aware of the needs of their senior dogs. Implementing healthy habits is the key to your mutts' (and you as a pet owner) quality life, especially for the latter years. While different dogs may require different needs, below are a few tips as to how to keep your senior dog healthy:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Healthy, appropriate diet</b> - Feeding your old mutt a high-quality diet can significantly help with their bodily health. If your dogs have heart disease, giving them a dog food that has lower sodium levels will help. Foods that have controlled levels of calcium, phosphorus, or other electrolytes are ideal for mutts that have kidney disease. Consult your trusted vet to see which diets are appropriate for your mutts.</li>
<li><b>Weight control</b> - Exercising your senior dog is just as important to weight control as watching what you feed them. Even though your aging mutts may not be as energetic or speedy as when they were a pup, consistent exercise is still going to help maintain their healthy weight, joints, and muscles. Being overweight is extremely harmful to dogs' bone structures which often result in hip dysplasia. </li>
<li><b>Dental care</b> - Not taking care of your mutts' teeth and gums at an early age is one of the biggest mistakes pet owners make, and they usually don't realize it until it is too late. Dental disease is painful and usually causes your dogs to loose its teeth when they get old (some even get diagnosed as early as 2-3 years old!). This may cause your senior mutt to stop eating overall and result in unhealthy weight loss. </li>
<li><b>Regular vet visits</b> - Taking your senior dog to the vet at least yearly is critical even if they appear healthy (more needed visits for unhealthy dogs). It is also smart to ask for a body condition evaluation each time to make sure that there are no hidden signs of major illnesses. Remember, health prevention is a lot cheaper and less time-consuming than disease treatments!</li>
</ul>
<b>Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</b><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716960412190517327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-47793075958146642472013-08-23T14:07:00.000-07:002013-08-23T14:07:07.634-07:00Tips & Tricks to a Healthier Dog Coat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The most common form of affection for dog lovers is touching and petting their mutts, and a part of that pleasure is being able to run their fingers through a warm, soft fur coat. Some dogs, however, tend to develop a more coarse and unhealthy layer. <br />
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Below are some tips you can try at home to help restore your mutts' shiny and healthy coat:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Omega 6 Fatty Acids</b> - Quality dog food brands tend to already have Omega 6 in their ingredients. Pumping a small dose of salmon or vegetable oil into your mutts' daily meal can also help boost their coat and skin quality. Pet stores will sell oil supplements - just be sure that these oils are fresh and refrigerated after use. </li>
<li><b>Daily Grooming</b> - A huge part of why your mutts' coat may feel coarse is because there are dried and damaged strands. It would be extremely helpful to groom your dogs' body on a daily basis with a good brush, and taking them to a professional groomers once in a while will also improve the quality of their hair/fur. </li>
<li><b>Well-Balanced Diet</b> - Feeding your mutts quality dog food will greatly impact their coat conditions. Healthy fats are an essential ingredient to curing dried hair and flaky skin. Puppies that are on a low-fat diet are more prone to developing coarse and itchy skin/fur that can lead to infections from their constant scratching. To find out which dog foods are good from your mutts, please consult your trusted vet. </li>
</ul>
<b>Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</b><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-73719420856500977382013-08-15T14:01:00.001-07:002013-08-15T14:02:55.767-07:00Health Benefits to Spaying/Neutering Your Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Much discussion and dialogue has surrounded the issue of spaying/neutering dogs. Some pet owners hesitate at the thought because they either think it's too painful or inhumane for their mutts. However, the fact is if you're not going to breed your dog (in a legal, healthy way of course), then spaying/neutering them IS the better way to go. <br />
<br />
<b>Benefits for your mutts:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Spaying/neutering your dogs will significantly reduce the risk of getting prostate, testicular, or ovarian cancer when they get older.</li>
<li>For most dogs, the lack of hormones will help them be more mentally and emotionally balanced/stable.</li>
<li>Spaying/neutering your mutts will allow them to live a longer and healthier life.</li>
</ul>
<b>Benefits for you as a pet owner:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>A more balanced and stable dog will be a better and friendlier companion for you in the long run.</li>
<li>A spayed/neutered mutt will be easier to train and eliminate unwanted behaviors like aggression and being territorial.</li>
<li>You will less likely attract unwanted male dogs to your home when you have a female in heat. Vice versa, your male mutt will not act crazily when he senses a female in heat. </li>
</ul>
<b>Benefits for your local community:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Millions of tax-payer dollars go into trying to control the dog population every year.</li>
<li>Animal shelters around the country have to euthanize millions (yes, millions) of dogs every year because they simply do not have the space to care for unwanted mutts.</li>
<li>Unbalanced dogs often lead to aggression which puts members of the community in danger of dog bites and attacks. </li>
</ul>
Spaying and neutering your mutts does not have to be expensive. There are plenty of nonprofits and animal shelters around that would perform the procedure for cheap. Consult with your trusted vet for when to spaying/neuter your dogs and for any other health concerns or questions.<br />
<br />
Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-82395630938910131872013-07-19T14:16:00.001-07:002013-07-19T14:16:45.917-07:00Tips To Control Your Dog's Shedding!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the biggest pet peeves dog owners have is unwanted pet hair and fur all over the house. It doesn't matter if you have a Golden Retriever or a Yorkshire Terrier, every dog sheds to some degree - the only difference is how much. The age, weather season, and the health of your mutts also play a huge part in how much hair loss they go through.<br />
<br />
While shedding is quite normal for even a young, healthy dog, here are some ways to help control the unwanted hair from getting all over:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Brush your dog daily</b> - There's just no short cuts around it: brush your dogs' body daily! This will help tremendously with getting rid of excess hair/fur for you and your dogs' comfort. Keep in mind: finding the right brush is also going to help.</li>
<li><b>Eating a balanced diet</b> - The food you feed your mutts also impact the quality of hair/fur. Feeding your dogs a healthy balanced diet will help with (1) giving your mutts a healthy coat and (2) preventing them from getting sick. Sometimes excessive hair loss is the result of parasites, kidney and liver disease, cancer, sunburn, and/or fungal and bacteria infections.</li>
<li><b>Bathing your dogs during the summer</b> - A lot of dogs will grow a thick coat during the winter months and shed it all off during the summer months. So keeping your mutts' hair/fur clean on a regular basis is another way of stripping their loose, dried, and damaged strands away. Using an oatmeal shampoo will help prevent your dogs' skin from getting too dried.</li>
<li><b>Keep up with regular check ups - </b>Be sure to take your mutts to the vet on a regular basis to ensure that they are not losing their coat because of more serious internal healthy issues.</li>
<li><b>Environment control and cleanliness</b> - If worse comes to worse, vacuum your house often put blankets and covers over the furniture you don't want dog hair on. </li>
</ul>
For other tips on how to better manage your mutts' shedding, consult your trust vet. <br />
<br />
<b>Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</b><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-79335266496572969192013-07-12T15:15:00.000-07:002013-07-12T15:15:11.211-07:00Tips on How to Spot Fleas & Ticks on Your Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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During the summer months, your beloved pups are more prone to getting fleas and ticks on their bodies. These insects feed on the blood of your mutts and may cause several health problems ranging from allergic reactions to tapeworm infections to other serious tick-driven illnesses.<br />
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Here are some tips as to how you can spot fleas and ticks on your dogs:<br />
<ul>
<li>Look through your dogs' fur and see if you can spot any small black specks. If there are a lot more than just a random few, they may be flea droppings.</li>
<li>If you see small little white specks around the same areas as the flea droppings, those could be flea eggs nestled in your dogs hair. </li>
<li>You may notice your dog is scratching or licking its body excessively. If this is happening, keep and eye out for other flea/tick symptoms.</li>
<li>You may also want to keep an eye out for more than normal scabbing or hot spots on your dogs' skin.</li>
<li>If you and your family members are getting excessive bug bits on your feet and legs, this is definitely a huge warning sign that you may have fleas and ticks in your house. </li>
</ul>
To learn how to safely and surely get rid of fleas and ticks in your house and on your dogs, consult your trusted vet.<br />
<br />
Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-42769183900137279302013-06-10T11:42:00.001-07:002013-06-10T11:42:45.664-07:00Why Dogs Have Bad Breath?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the most commonly ignored health problems by pet owners is bad breath from our loving mutts. While bad breath can be cured from a more regular dental care routine, persistent bad breath may be signs of more serious health issues for your dogs.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Dental care</b> - A lot of the times, bad breath is caused by a build-up of bacteria in the dogs' mouths. Small dogs are especially prone to getting plaque and tartar build-up which can lead to dental and/or gum disease. </li>
<li><b>Internal organs</b> - If your mutts have long term bad breath, then they may be at risk of larger medical issues with their gastrointestinal tract, liver, lungs, or kidneys. For example, a sweet or fruity breath may indicate diabetes while a breath that smells like urine could be signs of kidney disease. </li>
<li><b>Diet</b> - It is important to keep an eye out for what you are feeding your dogs and what they could be eating off the ground. To help with your mutts' bad breaths, be sure to feed them quality, healthy dog food and treats that are easy for them to digest. </li>
</ul>
To help pinpoint exactly why your dogs have bad breath, consult your trusted vet for a physical exam and/or laboratory work.<br />
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<b>Keep your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty! </b><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-60984306679080405742013-05-29T17:01:00.002-07:002013-05-29T17:01:47.202-07:00Top Reasons Why Dogs Eat Poop!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Does your mutts eat their own or some other dog's poop? As disgusting and abnormal as this may sound, dogs sometimes will eat feces for a variety of reasons. Go through the list below and see if you can pin point which reasons may apply to your cute and loving mutt:<br />
<ul>
<li><strong>Malnutrition</strong> - A lot of times when dogs are not getting enough nutrients and/or vitamin deficiencies, they resort to eating their poop. Some pups go grow rapidly and their appetites may increase at a fast speed too, so keep an eye out for how much you're suppose to be feeding your mutts.</li>
<li><strong>Parasites</strong> - If you feel like you're feeding your mutts plenty of healthy foods but they are still behaving this way, you should consider visiting the vet to check for parasites. Parasites can be a cause for possible malnutrition.</li>
<li><strong>Health Conditions</strong> - Dogs that have health conditions like diabetes or thyroid disease are more prone to eating poop. In this situation, consult your trusted vet on how to properly treat their health conditions to help stop the unwanted behavior.</li>
<li><strong>Get Attention</strong> - Some mutts will resort to chewing on poop as a way to get attention from you when they are bored or as a way of "acting out" if they were recently punished. In this case, make some more time to walk and play with your dogs so they are not thinking about eating poop.</li>
<li><strong>Copy Cats</strong> - Mom dogs will a lot of times eat their newborns' poop for nutrients. So another possibility could be that the new pups are just copying their mother's behavior as a way of exploring different things. Proper training would be a way to overcome the poop-eating in this scenario. </li>
</ul>
Regardless of the what the reasons may be for why your mutts are eating poop, you should still schedule a visit with your trust vet to ensure your pets health. <br />
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<strong>Keeping your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</strong><br />
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-70750639011445960072013-05-14T16:01:00.001-07:002013-08-05T14:26:09.156-07:00Hot Summer Safety Tips for Your Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
As daily temperatures continue to climb up well into the 80s, 90s, and even over 100 degrees, making sure to adapt your mutts living situations to the heat should be at the top of your priority list. While we may be cooling off inside our air conditioned rooms inside, our little furry friends may be stuck outside in the backyard with no appropriate place to relax.<br />
<br />
Below are some safety concerns to keep in mind as summer arrives:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>A comfortable backyard</b> - be sure to have large, shady spots around the backyard throughout the entire day to give your dogs a place to get out of the sun. Dog houses that are outside are NOT a good option as they can trap heat and make it more miserable for your mutts to lay in. Another idea would be to fill a small, blow-up pool with fresh water so your mutts can jump in and cool off from time to time. </li>
<li><b>Appropriate times to exercise </b>- during the summer, avoiding activities with your mutts during the hottest time of the day is best for yours and their health. Not only is the heat unbearable in the middle of the day, but also when
temperatures become extreme, the roads get over heated and can
actually burn your dogs paws. So do your best to reschedule your routines to exercising with your dogs in the mornings or evenings when the heat waves are less intense. </li>
<li><b>H2O</b> - giving plenty of fresh, cool water for your dogs that are outside is essential to their health during the hot days. So don't forget to double and triple check their bowls more often than usual to help keep them comfortable.</li>
<li><b>Grooming needs</b> - scheduling maybe two or three more than usual haircuts for your dogs can help tremendously with keeping your mutts cool in the summer. Remember, they are the ones with the fur coat covering their entire bodies!</li>
<li><b>No leaving dogs in cars</b> - a closed vehicle (or even a car with windows cracked) can rise to over 100 degrees within minutes of you shutting off the A/C. Many dogs have become extremely sick, or have even died, in cars because of the heat. So just keep in mind, if you can't stand to be in there, they most certainly can't either!</li>
</ul>
<b>Keep your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</b><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347151292986679315.post-73098588430065869722013-04-26T12:52:00.001-07:002013-05-18T17:34:54.510-07:00Tips on How to Choose the Right Dog Food<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As we browse down the pet aisle at the grocery or pet store, we are bombarded with shelves after shelves of different dog food brands with all of them saying that THEY are the ones providing the best nutrients for your loving mutts. <br />
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So how do we (as loving and responsible dog owners who just want the best for our furry little friends) differentiate between all the pet food companies so we <i>can </i>provide the best diet for our mutts? While most dogs are different and require different types of nutrients, below are some general tips as to what to keep in mind when shopping for a good dog food brand:<br />
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<ol>
<li><b>Read the labels </b>- While the cheapest brands or the cutest dog food bag can be very appealing to us consumers, these companies may not always have the best nutritional value to their products. It is essential to read the labels on the bag that interests you to see if the product truly has a well-balanced diet of whole meats, vegetables, fruits, grains, and a high-quality source of dietary fats. </li>
<li><b>Dog Allergies & Needs</b> - If your dog has certain allergies to certain types of foods, it's important to NOT feed them anything that would make their allergies worse. Skin and coat problems are common among mutts. So one way to help with this is to eliminate products like chicken, beef, lamb, corn, soy, wheat, egg, and dairy and replace them with plenty of vitamins and fatty acids (or fish oils). </li>
<li><b>Feeding Amount </b>- Depending on the age and situation of your mutts, it's also important to monitor the feeding amount for your dogs. Old mutts and mutts who have been neutered usually require less food to avoid obesity since their metabolisms and activity levels have gone down. </li>
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The best way to acquire a good dog food brand is to consult with your trusted vet.<br />
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<b>Keep your mutts happy, healthy, and hearty!</b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2